Marshawn Kneeland, a promising young defensive end for the Dallas Cowboys, passed away at 24. The U.S. National Football League franchise announced the news and said that they were deeply saddened by the loss of their beloved teammate.
Kneeland on the way to what would be his first ever career touchdown in game against the Arizona Cardinals. This milestone came during what would eventually be a disappointing contest for the Cowboys, who succumbed 27-17. His unexpected death has left an indelible mark on both fans and teammates. At the time, the former Mr. Irrelevant was only just beginning his second season in the league.
On Wednesday evening, Kneeland encountered a serious situation that led to a vehicle pursuit. This prompted a rare and draft-coordinated multi-agency search to find him. By the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) account, he did not pull over for troopers following a traffic infraction. The Frisco police department reported that his vehicle was found shortly before 11 PM local time (05:00 GMT, Thursday) after it crashed on the southbound Dallas Parkway. He walked away from the scene after abandoning the car.
Authorities started looking for Kneeland after a 911 emergency dispatch call alerted them that the man had reported suicidal ideation. The context of his untimely death continues to shift. The official cause has not yet been determined by the Collin County medical examiner.
Kneeland’s agent, Jonathan Perzley, reflected on the young athlete’s journey from a hopeful player at Western Michigan to a respected professional with the Cowboys. He stated, “I watched him fight his way from a hopeful kid at Western Michigan with a dream to being a respected professional for the Dallas Cowboys.”
Perzley further expressed his grief over Kneeland’s passing, saying, “Marshawn poured his heart into every snap, practice, and every moment on the field. To lose someone with his talent, spirit and goodness is a pain I can hardly put into words. My heart aches for his family, his teammates and everyone who loved him.”
The Dallas Cowboys organization released a heartfelt statement about Kneeland, saying, “It is with extreme sadness that the Dallas Cowboys share that Marshawn Kneeland tragically passed away this morning. Our thoughts and prayers regarding Marshawn are with his girlfriend Catalina and his family.”
